Patents by Inventor D. Bruce Thomas

D. Bruce Thomas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7506707
    Abstract: A guided vehicle relocation device has a frame. The frame has an opening to allow one or more wheels of a vehicle to enter an interior area of the frame. At least one drive mechanism is coupled to the frame. The drive mechanism engages the wheel of the vehicle, rotating the wheel of the vehicle to move the vehicle. A control panel is coupled to the frame and to the at least one drive mechanism. The control panel is used for controlling operation of the guided vehicle relocation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Trujillo, David L. Wagner, Peter D. McCowin, D. Bruce Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4864509
    Abstract: A method and related system for operating a computer controlled press brake system to form a requested bend angle in a workpiece are described. According to the disclosed method, values corresponding to geometrical characteristics of the press brake and a first workpiece are stored, as is a value for the requested bend angle. A ram of the press is operated in a first direction, relative to the die, to a first selected position to bend the first workpiece and to hold the first workpiece to a restrained bend angle. The ram is thereafter operated in a second direction to release the first workpiece to an unrestrained bend angle. The difference between the restrained and unrestrained bend agles of the first workpiece is calculated. Using the values for geometrical characteristics and the requested bend angle, a correction factor is calculated. In accordance with the correction factor, the unrestrained and requested bend angles, the ram is set to travel to a corrected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gordon R. Somerville, D. Bruce Thomas